第5章

Anythingthatmovesuponthewebsetsitshaking。Allthenthatisneededisathreadissuingfromthiscentralpointtoconveytoadistancethenewsofapreystrugglinginsomepartorotherofthenet。Theslantingcord，extendingoutsidetheplaneoftheweb，ismorethanafoot-bridge:itis，aboveall，asignalling-apparatus，atelegraph-wire。

Letustryexperiment。IplaceaLocustonthenetwork。Caughtinthestickytoils，heplungesabout。Forthwith，theSpiderissuesimpetuouslyfromherhut，comesdownthefoot-bridge，makesarushfortheLocust，wrapshimupandoperatesonhimaccordingtorule。

Soonafter，shehoistshim，fastenedbyalinetoherspinneret，anddragshimtoherhiding-place，wherealongbanquetwillbeheld。Sofar，nothingnew:thingshappenasusual。

IleavetheSpidertomindherownaffairsforsomedays，beforeI

interferewithher。IagainproposetogiveheraLocust；but，thistime，Ifirstcutthesignalling-threadwithatouchofthescissors，withoutshakinganypartoftheedifice。Thegameisthenlaidontheweb。Completesuccess:theentangledinsectstruggles，setsthenetquivering；theSpider，onherside，doesnotstir，asthoughheedlessofevents。

Theideamightoccurtoonethat，inthisbusiness，theEpeirastaysmotionlessinhercabinsincesheispreventedfromhurryingdown，becausethefoot-bridgeisbroken。Letusundeceiveourselves:foroneroadopentoherthereareahundred，allreadytobringhertotheplacewhereherpresenceisnowrequired。Thenetworkisfastenedtothebranchesbyahostoflines，allofthemveryeasytocross。Well，theEpeiraembarksuponnoneofthem，butremainsmovelessandself-absorbed。

Why？Becausehertelegraph，beingoutoforder，nolongertellsheroftheshakingoftheweb。Thecapturedpreyistoofaroffforhertoseeit；sheisallunwitting。Agoodhourpasses，withtheLocuststillkicking，theSpiderimpassive，myselfwatching。

Nevertheless，intheend，theEpeirawakesup:nolongerfeelingthesignalling-thread，brokenbymyscissors，astautasusualunderherlegs，shecomestolookintothestateofthings。Thewebisreached，withouttheleastdifficulty，byoneofthelinesoftheframework，thefirstthatoffers。TheLocustisthenperceivedandforthwithenswathed，afterwhichthesignalling-

threadisremade，takingtheplaceoftheonewhichIhavebroken。

AlongthisroadtheSpidergoeshome，draggingherpreybehindher。

Myneighbour，themightyAngularEpeira，withhertelegraph-wireninefeetlong，hasevenbetterthingsinstoreforme。Onemorning，Ifindherweb，whichisnowdeserted，almostintact，aproofthatthenight’shuntinghasnotbeengood。Theanimalmustbehungry。Withapieceofgameforabait，Ihopetobringherdownfromherloftyretreat。

Ientangleinthewebararemorsel，aDragon-fly，whostrugglesdesperatelyandsetsthewholeneta-shaking。Theother，upabove，leavesherlurking-placeamidthecypress-foliage，stridesswiftlydownalonghertelegraph-wire，comestotheDragon-fly，trussesherandatonceclimbshomeagainbythesameroad，withherprizedanglingatherheelsbyathread。Thefinalsacrificewilltakeplaceinthequietoftheleafysanctuary。

Afewdayslater，Irenewmyexperimentunderthesameconditions，but，thistime，Ifirstcutthesignalling-thread。InvainI

selectalargeDragon-fly，averyrestlessprisoner；invainI

exertmypatience:theSpiderdoesnotcomedownallday。Hertelegraphbeingbroken，shereceivesnonoticeofwhatishappeningninefeetbelow。Theentangledmorselremainswhereitlies，notdespised，butunknown。Atnightfall，theEpeiraleaveshercabin，passesovertheruinsofherweb，findstheDragon-flyandeatsheronthespot，afterwhichthenetisrenewed。

OneoftheEpeiraewhomIhavehadtheopportunityofexaminingsimplifiesthesystem，whileretainingtheessentialmechanismofatransmission-thread。ThisistheCraterEpeira(Epeiracratera，WALCK。)，aspeciesseeninspring，atwhichtimesheindulgesespeciallyinthechaseoftheDomesticBee，uponthefloweringrosemaries。Attheleafyendofabranch，shebuildsasortofsilkenshell，theshapeandsizeofanacorn-cup。Thisiswhereshesits，withherpaunchcontainedintheroundcavityandherfore-legsrestingontheledge，readytoleap。Thelazycreaturelovesthispositionandrarelystationsherselfheaddownwardsontheweb，asdotheothers。Cosilyensconcedinthehollowofhercup，sheawaitstheapproachinggame。

Herweb，whichisvertical，asistheruleamongtheEpeirae，isofafairsizeandalwaysverynearthebowlwhereintheSpidertakesherease。Moreover，ittouchesthebowlbymeansofanangularextension；andtheanglealwayscontainsonespokewhichtheEpeira，seated，sotospeak，inhercrater，hasconstantlyunderherlegs。Thisspoke，springingfromthecommonfocusofthevibrationsfromallpartsofthenetwork，iseminentlyfittedtokeeptheSpiderinformedofwhatsoeverhappens。Ithasadoubleoffice:itformspartoftheCatherine-wheelsupportingthelime-

threadsanditwarnstheEpeirabyitsvibrations。Aspecialthreadisheresuperfluous。

Theothersnarers，onthecontrary，whooccupyadistantretreatbyday，cannotdowithoutaprivatewirethatkeepstheminpermanentcommunicationwiththedesertedweb。Allofthemhaveone，inpointoffact，butonlywhenagecomes，agepronetorestandtolongslumbers。Intheiryouth，theEpeirae，whoarethenverywide-awake，knownothingoftheartoftelegraphy。Besides，theirweb，ashort-livedworkwhereofhardlyatraceremainsonthemorrow，doesnotallowofthiskindofindustry。Itisnousegoingtotheexpenseofasignalling-apparatusforaruinedsnarewhereinnothingcannowbecaught。OnlytheoldSpiders，meditatingordozingintheirgreentent，arewarnedfromafar，bytelegraph，ofwhattakesplaceontheweb。

Tosaveherselffromkeepingaclosewatchthatwoulddegenerateintodrudgeryandtoremainalivetoeventsevenwhenresting，withherbackturnedonthenet，theambushedSpideralwayshasherfootuponthetelegraph-wire。Ofmyobservationsonthissubject，letmerelatethefollowing，whichwillbesufficientforourpurpose。

AnAngularEpeira，witharemarkablyfinebelly，hasspunherwebbetweentwolaurestine-shrubs，coveringawidthofnearlyayard。

Thesunbeatsuponthesnare，whichisabandonedlongbeforedawn。

TheSpiderisinherdaymanor，aresorteasilydiscoveredbyfollowingthetelegraph-wire。Itisavaultedchamberofdeadleaves，joinedtogetherwithafewbitsofsilk。Therefugeisdeep:theSpiderdisappearsinitentirely，allbutherroundedhind-quarters，whichbartheentrancetothedonjon。

Withherfronthalfplungedintothebackofherhut，theEpeiracertainlycannotseeherweb。Evenifshehadgoodsight，insteadofbeingpurblind，herpositioncouldnotpossiblyallowhertokeepthepreyinview。Doesshegiveuphuntingduringthisperiod，ofbrightsunlight？Notatall。Lookagain。

Wonderful！Oneofherhind-legsisstretchedoutsidetheleafycabin；andthesignalling-threadendsjustatthetipofthatleg。

WhosohasnotseentheEpeirainthisattitude，withherhand，sotospeak，onthetelegraph-receiver，knowsnothingofoneofthemostcuriousinstancesofanimalcleverness。Letanygameappearuponthescene；andtheslumberer，forthwitharousedbymeansofthelegreceivingthevibrations，hastensup。ALocustwhomI

myselflayonthewebprocuresherthisagreeableshockandwhatfollows。Ifsheissatisfiedwithherbag，IamstillmoresatisfiedwithwhatIhavelearnt。

Theoccasionistoogoodnottofindout，underbetterconditionsasregardsapproach，whattheinhabitantofthecypress-treeshasalreadyshownme。Thenextmorning，Icutthetelegraph-wire，thistimeaslongasone’sarmandheld，likeyesterday，byoneofthehind-legsstretchedoutsidethecabin。Ithenplaceonthewebadoubleprey，aDragon-flyandaLocust。Thelatterkicksoutwithhislong，spurredshanks；theotherfluttersherwings。Thewebistossedabouttosuchanextentthatanumberofleaves，justbesidetheEpeira’snest，move，shakenbythethreadsoftheframeworkaffixedtothem。

Andthisvibration，thoughsocloseathand，doesnotrousetheSpiderintheleast，doesnotmakehereventurnroundtoenquirewhatisgoingon。Themomentthathersignalling-threadceasestowork，sheknowsnothingofpassingevents。Alldaylong，sheremainswithoutstirring。Intheevening，ateighto’clock，shesalliesforthtoweavethenewwebandatlastfindstherichwindfallwhereofshewashithertounaware。

Onewordmore。Thewebisoftenshakenbythewind。Thedifferentpartsoftheframework，tossedandteasedbytheeddyingair-

currents，cannotfailtotransmittheirvibrationtothesignalling-thread。Nevertheless，theSpiderdoesnotquitherhutandremainsindifferenttothecommotionprevailinginthenet。

Herline，therefore，issomethingbetterthanabell-ropethatpullsandcommunicatestheimpulsegiven:itisatelephonecapable，likeourown，oftransmittinginfinitesimalwavesofsound。Clutchinghertelephone-wirewithatoe，theSpiderlistenswithherleg；sheperceivestheinnermostvibrations；shedistinguishesbetweenthevibrationproceedingfromaprisonerandthemereshakingcausedbythewind。

CHAPTERXIII:THEGARDENSPIDERS:PAIRINGANDHUNTING

Notwithstandingtheimportanceofthesubject，IshallnotenlargeuponthenuptialsoftheEpeirae，grimnatureswhoseloveseasilyturntotragedyinthemysteryofthenight。IhavebutoncebeenpresentatthepairingandforthiscuriousexperienceImustthankmyluckystarandmyfatneighbour，theAngularEpeira，whomI

visitsooftenbylantern-light。Hereyouhaveit。

ItisthefirstweekofAugust，ataboutnineo’clockintheevening，underaperfectsky，incalm，hotweather。TheSpiderhasnotyetconstructedherwebandissittingmotionlessonhersuspension-cable。Thefactthatsheshouldbeslackinglikethis，atatimewhenherbuilding-operationsoughttobeinfullswing，naturallyastonishesme。Cansomethingunusualbeafoot？

Evenso。Iseehasteningupfromtheneighbouringbushesandembarkingonthecableamale，adwarf，whoiscoming，thewhipper-

snapper，topayhisrespectstotheportlygiantess。Howhashe，inhisdistantcorner，heardofthepresenceofthenymphripeformarriage？AmongtheSpiders，thesethingsarelearntinthesilenceofthenight，withoutasummons，withoutasignal，noneknowshow。

Once，theGreatPeacock，{32}apprisedbythemagiceffluvia，usedtocomefrommilesaroundtovisittherecluseinherbell-jarinmystudy。Thedwarfofthisevening，thatothernocturnalpilgrim，crossestheintricatetangleofthebrancheswithoutamistakeandmakesstraightfortherope-walker。HehasashisguidetheinfalliblecompassthatbringseveryJackandhisJilltogether。

Heclimbstheslopeofthesuspension-cord；headvancescircumspectly，stepbystep。Hestopssomedistanceaway，irresolute。Shallhegocloser？Isthistherightmoment？No。

Theotherliftsalimbandthescaredvisitorhurriesdownagain。

Recoveringfromhisfright，heclimbsuponcemore，drawsalittlenearer。Moresuddenflights，followedbyfreshapproaches，eachtimenigherthanbefore。Thisrestlessrunningtoandfroisthedeclarationoftheenamouredswain。

Perseverancespellssuccess。Thepairarenowfacetoface，shemotionlessandgrave，heallexcitement。Withthetipofhisleg，heventurestotouchtheplumpwench。Hehasgonetoofar，daringyouththatheis！Panic-stricken，hetakesaheader，hangingbyhissafety-line。Itisonlyforamoment，however。Uphecomesagain。Hehaslearnt，fromcertainsymptoms，thatweareatlastyieldingtohisblandishments。

Withhislegsandespeciallywithhispalpi，orfeelers，heteasesthebuxomgossip，whoanswerswithcuriousskipsandbounds。

Grippingathreadwithherfronttarsi，orfingers，sheturns，oneaftertheother，anumberofbacksomersaults，likethoseofanacrobatonthetrapeze。Havingdonethis，shepresentstheunder-

partofherpaunchtothedwarfandallowshimtofumbleatitalittlewithhisfeelers。Nothingmore:itisdone。

Theobjectoftheexpeditionisattained。Thewhipper-snappermakesoffatfullspeed，asthoughhehadtheFuriesathisheels。

Ifheremained，hewouldpresumablybeeaten。Theseexercisesonthetight-ropearenotrepeated。Ikeptwatchinvainonthefollowingevenings:Ineversawthefellowagain。

Whenheisgone，thebridedescendsfromthecable，spinsherwebandassumesthehunting-attitude。Wemusteattohavesilk，wemusthavesilktoeatandespeciallytoweavetheexpensivecocoonofthefamily。Thereisthereforenorest，notevenaftertheexcitementofbeingmarried。

TheEpeiraearemonumentsofpatienceintheirlime-snare。Withherheaddownandhereightlegswide-spread，theSpideroccupiesthecentreoftheweb，thereceiving-pointoftheinformationsentalongthespokes。Ifanywhere，behindorbefore，avibrationoccur，thesignofacapture，theEpeiraknowsaboutit，evenwithouttheaidofsight。Shehastensupatonce。

Untilthen，notamovement:onewouldthinkthattheanimalwashypnotizedbyherwatching。Atmost，ontheappearanceofanythingsuspicious，shebeginsshakinghernest。Thisisherwayofinspiringtheintruderwithawe。IfImyselfwishtoprovokethesingularalarm，IhavebuttoteasetheEpeirawithabitofstraw。

Youcannothaveaswingwithoutanimpulseofsomesort。Theterror-strickenSpider，whowishestostriketerrorintoothers，hashituponsomethingmuchbetter。Withnothingtopushher，sheswingswithherfloorofropes。Thereisnoeffort，novisibleexertion。Notasinglepartoftheanimalmoves；andyeteverythingtrembles。Violentshakingproceedsfromapparentinertia。Restcausescommotion。

Whencalmisrestored，sheresumesherattitude，ceaselesslyponderingtheharshproblemoflife:

’ShallIdineto-day，ornot？’

Certainprivilegedbeings，exemptfromthoseanxieties，havefoodinabundanceandneednotstruggletoobtainit。SuchistheGentle，whoswimsblissfullyinthebrothoftheputrefyingadder。

Others——and，byastrangeironyoffate，thesearegenerallythemostgifted——onlymanagetoeatbydintofcraftandpatience。

Youareoftheircompany，OmyindustriousEpeirae！Sothatyoumaydine，youspendyourtreasuresofpatiencenightly；andoftenwithoutresult。Isympathizewithyourwoes，forI，whoamasconcernedasyouaboutmydailybread，Ialsodoggedlyspreadmynet，thenetforcatchingideas，amoreelusiveandlesssubstantialprizethantheMoth。Letusnotloseheart。Thebestpartoflifeisnotinthepresent，stilllessinthepast；itliesinthefuture，thedomainofhope。Letuswait。

Alldaylong，thesky，ofauniformgrey，hasappearedtobebrewingastorm。Inspiteofthethreateneddownpour，myneighbour，whoisashrewdweather-prophet，hascomeoutofthecypress-treeandbeguntorenewherwebattheregularhour。Herforecastiscorrect:itwillbeafinenight。See，thesteaming-

panofthecloudssplitsopen；and，throughtheapertures，themoonpeeps，inquisitively。Itoo，lanterninhand，ampeeping。Agustofwindfromthenorthclearstherealmsonhigh；theskybecomesmagnificent；perfectcalmreignsbelow。TheMothsbegintheirnightlyrounds。Good！Oneiscaught，amightyfineone。TheSpiderwilldineto-day。

Whathappensnext，inanuncertainlight，doesnotlenditselftoaccurateobservation。ItisbettertoturntothoseGardenSpiderswhoneverleavetheirwebandwhohuntmainlyinthedaytime。TheBandedandtheSilkyEpeira，bothofwhomliveontherosemariesintheenclosure，shallshowusinbroadday-lighttheinnermostdetailsofthetragedy。

Imyselfplaceonthelime-snareavictimofmyselecting。Itssixlegsarecaughtwithoutmoreado。Iftheinsectraisesoneofitstarsiandpullstowardsitself，thetreacherousthreadfollows，unwindsslightlyand，withoutlettinggoorbreaking，yieldstothecaptive’sdesperatejerks。Anylimbreleasedonlytanglestheothersstillmoreandisspeedilyrecapturedbythestickymatter。

Thereisnomeansofescape，exceptbysmashingthetrapwithasuddeneffortwhereofevenpowerfulinsectsarenotalwayscapable。

Warnedbytheshakingofthenet，theEpeirahastensup；sheturnsroundaboutthequarry；sheinspectsitatadistance，soastoascertaintheextentofthedangerbeforeattacking。Thestrengthofthesnarelingwilldecidetheplanofcampaign。Letusfirstsupposetheusualcase，thatofanaverageheadofgame，aMothorFlyofsomesort。Facingherprisoner，theSpidercontractsherabdomenslightlyandtouchestheinsectforamomentwiththeendofherspinnerets；then，withherfronttarsi，shesetshervictimspinning。TheSquirrel，inthemovingcylinderofhiscage，doesnotdisplayamoregracefulornimblerdexterity。Across-barofthestickyspiralservesasanaxisforthetinymachine，whichturns，turnsswiftly，likeaspit。Itisatreattotheeyestoseeitrevolve。

Whatistheobjectofthiscircularmotion？See，thebriefcontactofthespinneretshasgivenastarting-pointforathread，whichtheSpidermustnowdrawfromhersilk-warehouseandgraduallyrollaroundthecaptive，soastoswathehiminawinding-sheetwhichwilloverpoweranyeffortmade。Itistheexactprocessemployedinourwire-mills:amotor-drivenspoolrevolvesand，byitsaction，drawsthewirethroughthenarroweyeletofasteelplate，makingitofthefinenessrequired，and，withthesamemovement，windsitroundandrounditscollar。

EvensowiththeEpeira’swork。TheSpider’sfronttarsiarethemotor；therevolvingspoolisthecapturedinsect；thesteeleyeletistheapertureofthespinnerets。Tobindthesubjectwithprecisionanddispatchnothingcouldbebetterthanthisinexpensiveandhighly-effectivemethod。

Lessfrequently，asecondprocessisemployed。Withaquickmovement，theSpiderherselfturnsroundaboutthemotionlessinsect，crossingthewebfirstatthetopandthenatthebottomandgraduallyplacingthefasteningsofherline。Thegreatelasticityofthelime-threadsallowstheEpeiratoflingherselftimeaftertimerightintothewebandtopassthroughitwithoutdamagingthenet。

Letusnowsupposethecaseofsomedangerousgame:aPrayingMantis，forinstance，brandishingherlethallimbs，eachhookedandfittedwithadoublesaw；anangryHornet，dartingherawfulsting；

asturdyBeetle，invincibleunderhishornyarmour。Theseareexceptionalmorsels，hardlyeverknowntotheEpeirae。Willtheybeaccepted，ifsuppliedbymystratagems？

Theyare，butnotwithoutcaution。ThegameisseentobeperilousofapproachandtheSpiderturnsherbackuponit，insteadoffacingit；shetrainsherrope-cannonuponit。Quickly，thehind-

legsdrawfromthespinneretssomethingmuchbetterthansinglecords。Thewholesilk-batteryworksatoneandthesametime，firingaregularvolleyofribbonsandsheets，whichawidemovementofthelegsspreadsfan-wiseandflingsovertheentangledprisoner。Guardingagainstsuddenstarts，theEpeiracastsherarmfulsofbandsonthefront-andhind-parts，overthelegsandoverthewings，here，thereandeverywhere，extravagantly。Themostfierypreyispromptlymasteredunderthisavalanche。Invain，theMantistriestoopenhersaw-toothedarm-guards；invain，theHornetmakesplaywithherdagger；invain，theBeetlestiffenshislegsandarcheshisback:afreshwaveofthreadsswoopsdownandparalyseseveryeffort。

Theselavished，far-flungribbonsthreatentoexhaustthefactory；

itwouldbemuchmoreeconomicaltoresorttothemethodofthespool；but，toturnthemachine，theSpiderwouldhavetogouptoitandworkitwithherleg。Thisistoorisky；andhencethecontinuoussprayofsilk，atasafedistance。Whenallisusedup，thereismoretocome。

Still，theEpeiraseemsconcernedatthisexcessiveoutlay。Whencircumstancespermit，shegladlyreturnstothemechanismoftherevolvingspool。IsawherpractisethisabruptchangeoftacticsonabigBeetle，withasmooth，plumpbody，whichlentitselfadmirablytotherotaryprocess。Afterdeprivingthebeastofallpowerofmovement，shewentuptoitandturnedhercorpulentvictimasshewouldhavedonewithamedium-sizedMoth。

ButwiththePrayingMantis，stickingoutherlonglegsandherspreadingwings，rotationisnolongerfeasible。Then，untilthequarryisthoroughlysubdued，thesprayofbandagesgoesoncontinuously，eventothepointofdryingupthesilk-glands。A

captureofthiskindisruinous。Itistruethat，exceptwhenI

interfered，IhaveneverseentheSpidertacklethatformidableprovender。

Beitfeebleorstrong，thegameisnowneatlytrussed，byoneofthetwomethods。Thenextmovenevervaries。Theboundinsectisbitten，withoutpersistencyandwithoutanywoundthatshows。TheSpidernextretiresandallowsthebitetoact，whichitsoondoes。

Shethenreturns。

Ifthevictimbesmall，aClothes-moth，forinstance，itisconsumedonthespot，attheplacewhereitwascaptured。But，foraprizeofsomeimportance，onwhichshehopestofeastformanyanhour，sometimesformanyaday，theSpiderneedsasequestereddining-room，wherethereisnaughttofearfromthestickinessofthenetwork。Beforegoingtoit，shefirstmakesherpreyturnintheconversedirectiontothatoftheoriginalrotation。Herobjectistofreethenearestspokes，whichsuppliedpivotsforthemachinery。Theyareessentialfactorswhichitbehoveshertokeepintact，ifneedbebysacrificingafewcrossbars。

Itisdone；thetwistedendsareputbackintoposition。Thewell-

trussedgameisatlastremovedfromthewebandfastenedonbehindwithathread。TheSpiderthenmarchesinfrontandtheloadistrundledacrossthewebandhoistedtotheresting-floor，whichisbothaninspection-postandadining-hall。WhentheSpiderisofaspeciesthatshunsthelightandpossessesatelegraph-line，shemountstoherdaytimehiding-placealongthisline，withthegamebumpingagainstherheels。

Whilesheisrefreshingherself，letusenquireintotheeffectsofthelittlebitepreviouslyadministeredtothesilk-swathedcaptive。DoestheSpiderkillthepatientwithaviewtoavoidingunseasonablejerks，protestssodisagreeableatdinner-time？

Severalreasonsmakemedoubtit。Inthefirstplace，theattackissomuchveiledastohavealltheappearanceofamerekiss。

Besides，itismadeanywhere，atthefirstspotthatoffers。Theexpertslayers{33}employmethodsofthehighestprecision:theygiveastabintheneck，orunderthethroat；theywoundthecervicalnerve-centres，theseatofenergy。Theparalyzers，thoseaccomplishedanatomists，poisonthemotornerve-centres，ofwhichtheyknowthenumberandposition。TheEpeirapossessesnoneofthisfearsomeknowledge。Sheinsertsherfangsatrandom，astheBeedoeshersting。Shedoesnotselectonespotratherthananother；shebitesindifferentlyatwhatevercomeswithinreach。

Thisbeingso，herpoisonwouldhavetopossessunparalleledvirulencetoproduceacorpse-likeinertianomatterwhichthepointattacked。Icanscarcelybelieveininstantaneousdeathresultingfromthebite，especiallyinthecaseofinsects，withtheirhighly-resistantorganisms。

Besides，isitreallyacorpsethattheEpeirawants，shewhofeedsonbloodmuchmorethanonflesh？Itweretoheradvantagetosuckalivebody，whereintheflowoftheliquids，setinmovementbythepulsationofthedorsalvessel，thatrudimentaryheartofinsects，mustactmorefreelythaninalifelessbody，withitsstagnantfluids。ThegamewhichtheSpidermeanstosuckdrymightverywellnotbedead。Thisiseasilyascertained。

IplacesomeLocustsofdifferentspeciesonthewebsinmymenagerie，oneonthis，anotheronthat。TheSpidercomesrushingup，bindstheprey，nibblesatitgentlyandwithdraws，waitingforthebitetotakeeffect。Ithentaketheinsectandcarefullystripitofitssilkenshroud。TheLocustisnotdead，farfromit；onewouldeventhinkthathehadsufferednoharm。Iexaminethereleasedprisonerthroughthelensinvain；Icanseenotraceofawound。

Canhebeunscathed，inspiteofthesortofkisswhichIsawgiventohimjustnow？Youwouldbereadytosayso，judgingbythefuriouswayinwhichhekicksinmyfingers。Nevertheless，whenputontheground，hewalksawkwardly，heseemsreluctanttohop。

Perhapsitisatemporarytrouble，causedbyhisterribleexcitementintheweb。Itlooksasthoughitwouldsoonpass。

IlodgemyLocustsincages，withalettuce-leaftoconsolethemfortheirtrials；buttheywillnotbecomforted。Adayelapses，followedbyasecond。Notoneofthemtouchestheleafofsalad；

theirappetitehasdisappeared。Theirmovementsbecomemoreuncertain，asthoughhamperedbyirresistibletorpor。Onthesecondday，theyaredead，everyoneirrecoverablydead。

TheEpeira，therefore，doesnotincontinentlykillherpreywithherdelicatebite；shepoisonsitsoastoproduceagradualweakness，whichgivestheblood-suckerampletimetodrainhervictim，withouttheleastrisk，beforetherigormortisstopstheflowofmoisture。

Themeallastsquitetwenty-fourhours，ifthejointbelarge；andtotheveryendthebutcheredinsectretainsaremnantoflife，afavourableconditionfortheexhaustingofthejuices。Onceagain，weseeaskilfulmethodofslaughter，verydifferentfromthetacticsinuseamongtheexpertparalyzersorslayers。Herethereisnodisplayofanatomicalscience。Unacquaintedwiththepatient’sstructure，theSpiderstabsatrandom。Thevirulenceofthepoisondoestherest。

Thereare，however，someveryfewcasesinwhichthebiteisspeedilymortal。MynotesspeakofanAngularEpeiragrapplingwiththelargestDragon-flyinmydistrict(AEshnagrandis，LIN。)。

Imyselfhadentangledinthewebthisheadofbiggame，whichisnotoftencapturedbytheEpeirae。Thenetshakesviolently，seemsboundtobreakitsmoorings。

TheSpiderrushesfromherleafyvilla，runsboldlyuptothegiantess，flingsasinglebundleofropesatherand，withoutfurtherprecautions，gripsherwithherlegs，triestosubdueherandthendigsherfangsintotheDragon-fly’sback。Thebiteisprolongedinsuchawayastoastonishme。ThisisnottheperfunctorykisswithwhichIamalreadyfamiliar；itisadeep，determinedwound。Afterstrikingherblow，theSpiderretirestoacertaindistanceandwaitsforherpoisontotakeeffect。

IatonceremovetheDragon-fly。Sheisdead，reallyandtrulydead。Laiduponmytableandleftalonefortwenty-fourhours，shemakesnottheslightestmovement。Aprickofwhichmylenscannotseethemarks，sosharp-pointedaretheEpeira’sweapons，wasenough，withalittleinsistence，tokillthepowerfulanimal。

Proportionately，theRattlesnake，theHornedViper，theTrigonocephalusandotherill-famedserpentsproducelessparalysingeffectsupontheirvictims。

AndtheseEpeirae，soterribletoinsects，Iamabletohandlewithoutanyfear。Myskindoesnotsuitthem。IfIpersuadedthemtobiteme，whatwouldhappentome？Hardlyanything。WehavemorecausetodreadthestingofanettlethanthedaggerwhichisfataltoDragon-flies。Thesamevirusactsdifferentlyuponthisorganismandthat，isformidablehereandquitemildthere。Whatkillstheinsectmayeasilybeharmlesstous。Letusnot，however，generalizetoofar。TheNarbonneLycosa，thatotherenthusiasticinsect-huntress，wouldmakeuspayclearlyifweattemptedtotakelibertieswithher。

ItisnotuninterestingtowatchtheEpeiraatdinner。Ilightuponone，theBandedEpeira，atthemoment，aboutthreeo’clockintheafternoon，whenshehascapturedaLocust。Plantedinthecentreoftheweb，onherresting-floor，sheattacksthevenisonatthejointofahaunch。Thereisnomovement，notevenofthemouth-parts，asfarasIamabletodiscover。Themouthlingers，close-applied，atthepointoriginallybitten。Therearenointermittentmouthfuls，withthemandiblesmovingbackwardsandforwards。Itisasortofcontinuouskiss。

IvisitmyEpeiraatintervals。Themouthdoesnotchangeitsplace。Ivisitherforthelasttimeatnineo’clockintheevening。Mattersstandexactlyastheydid:aftersixhours’

consumption，themouthisstillsuckingatthelowerendoftherighthaunch。Thefluidcontentsofthevictimaretransferredtotheogress’belly，Iknownothow。

Nextmorning，theSpiderisstillattable。Itakeawayherdish。

NaughtremainsoftheLocustbuthisskin，hardlyalteredinshape，bututterlydrainedandperforatedinseveralplaces。Themethod，therefore，waschangedduringthenight。Toextractthenon-fluentresidue，thevisceraandmuscles，thestiffcuticlehadtobetappedhere，thereandelsewhere，afterwhichthetatteredhusk，placedbodilyinthepressofthemandibles，wouldhavebeenchewed，rechewedandfinallyreducedtoapill，whichthesatedSpiderthrowsup。Thiswouldhavebeentheendofthevictim，hadInottakenitawaybeforethetime。

Whethershewoundorkill，theEpeirabiteshercaptivesomewhereorother，nomatterwhere。Thisisanexcellentmethodonherpart，becauseofthevarietyofthegamethatcomesherway。Iseeheracceptingwithequalreadinesswhateverchancemaysendher:

ButterfliesandDragon-flies，FliesandWasps，smallDung-beetlesandLocusts。IfIofferheraMantis，aBumble-bee，anAnoxia——theequivalentofthecommonCockchafer——andotherdishesprobablyunknowntoherrace，sheacceptsallandany，largeandsmall，thin-skinnedandhorny-skinned，thatwhichgoesafootandthatwhichtakeswingedflight。Sheisomnivorous，shepreysoneverything，downtoherownkind，shouldtheoccasionoffer。

Hadshetooperateaccordingtoindividualstructure，shewouldneedananatomicaldictionary；andinstinctisessentiallyunfamiliarwithgeneralities:itsknowledgeisalwaysconfinedtolimitedpoints。TheCerceresknowtheirWeevilsandtheirBuprestis-beetlesabsolutely；theSphextheirGrasshoppers，theirCricketsandtheirLocusts；theScoliae{34}theirCetonia-andOryctes-grubs。Evensotheotherparalyzers。Eachhasherownvictimandknowsnothingofanyoftheothers。

Thesameexclusivetastesprevailamongtheslayers。Letusremember，inthisconnection，Philanthusapivorus{35}and，especially，theThomisus，thecomelySpiderwhocutsBees’throats。

Theyunderstandthefatalblow，eitherintheneckorunderthechin，athingwhichtheEpeiradoesnotunderstand；but，justbecauseofthistalent，theyarespecialists。TheirprovinceistheDomesticBee。

Animalsarealittlelikeourselves:theyexcelinanartonlyonconditionofspecializinginit。TheEpeira，who，beingomnivorous，isobligedtogeneralize，abandonsscientificmethodsandmakesupforthisbydistillingapoisoncapableofproducingtorporandevendeath，nomatterwhatthepointattacked。

Recognizingthelargevarietyofgame，wewonderhowtheEpeiramanagesnottohesitateamidthosemanydiverseforms，how，forinstance，shepassesfromtheLocusttotheButterfly，sodifferentinappearance。Toattributetoherasaguideanextensivezoologicalknowledgewerewildlyinexcessofwhatwemayreasonablyexpectofherpoorintelligence。Thethingmoves，thereforeitisworthcatching:thisformulaseemstosumuptheSpider’swisdom。

CHAPTERXIV:THEGARDENSPIDERS:THEQUESTIONOFPROPERTY

Adoghasfoundabone。Heliesintheshade，holdingitbetweenhispaws，andstudiesitfondly。Itishissacredproperty，hischattel。AnEpeirahaswovenherweb。Hereagainisproperty；andowningabettertitlethantheother。Favouredbychanceandassistedbyhisscent，theDoghasmerelyhadafind；hehasneitherworkednorpaidforit。TheSpiderismorethanacasualowner，shehascreatedwhatishers。Itssubstanceissuedfromherbody，itsstructurefromherbrain。Ifeverpropertywassacrosanct，hersis。

Farhigherstandstheworkoftheweaverofideas，whotissuesabook，thatotherSpider’sweb，andoutofhisthoughtmakessomethingthatshallinstructorthrillus。Toprotectour’bone，’

wehavethepolice，inventedfortheexpresspurpose。Toprotectthebook，wehavenonebutfarcicalmeans。Placeafewbricksoneatoptheother；jointhemwithmortar；andthelawwilldefendyourwall。Buildupinwritinganedificeofyourthoughts；anditwillbeopentoanyone，withoutseriousimpediment，toabstractstonesfromit，eventotakethewhole，ifitsuithim。Arabbit-hutchisproperty；theworkofthemindisnot。Iftheanimalhaseccentricviewsasregardsthepossessionsofothers，wehaveoursaswell。

’Mightalwayshasthebestoftheargument，’saidLaFontaine，tothegreatscandalofthepeace-lovers。Theexigenciesofverse，rhymeandrhythm，carriedtheworthyfabulistfurtherthanheintended:hemeanttosaythat，inafightbetweenmastiffsandinotherbruteconflicts，thestrongerisleftmasterofthebone。Hewellknewthat，asthingsgo，successisnocertificateofexcellence。Otherscame，thenotoriousevil-doersofhumanity，whomadealawofthesavagemaximthatmightisright。

Wearethelarvaewiththechangingskins，theuglycaterpillarsofasocietythatisslowly，veryslowly，wendingitswaytothetriumphofrightovermight。Whenwillthissublimemetamorphosisbeaccomplished？Tofreeourselvesfromthosewild-beastbrutalities，mustwewaitfortheocean-plainsofthesouthernhemispheretoflowtoourside，changingthefaceofcontinentsandrenewingtheglacialperiodoftheReindeerandtheMammoth？

Perhaps，soslowismoralprogress。

True，wehavethebicycle，themotor-car，thedirigibleairshipandothermarvellousmeansofbreakingourbones；butourmoralityisnotonerungthehigherforitall。Onewouldevensaythat，thefartherweproceedinourconquestofmatter，themoreourmoralityrecedes。Themostadvancedofourinventionsconsistsinbringingmendownwithgrapeshotandexplosiveswiththeswiftnessofthereapermowingthecorn。

Wouldweseethismighttriumphantinallitsbeauty？LetusspendafewweeksintheEpeira’scompany。Sheistheownerofaweb，herwork，hermostlawfulproperty。Thequestionatoncepresentsitself:DoestheSpiderpossiblyrecognizeherfabricbycertaintrademarksanddistinguishitfromthatofherfellows？

IbringaboutachangeofwebsbetweentwoneighbouringBandedEpeirae。Nosooneriseitherplaceduponthestrangenetthanshemakesforthecentralfloor，settlesherselfheaddownwardsanddoesnotstirfromit，satisfiedwithherneighbour’swebaswithherown。Neitherbydaynorbynightdoesshetrytoshiftherquartersandrestorematterstotheirpristinestate。BothSpidersthinkthemselvesintheirowndomain。ThetwopiecesofworkaresomuchalikethatIalmostexpectedthis。

Ithendecidetoeffectanexchangeofwebsbetweentwodifferentspecies。ImovetheBandedEpeiratothenetoftheSilkyEpeiraandviceversa。Thetwowebsarenowdissimilar；theSilkyEpeira’shasalimyspiralconsistingofcloserandmorenumerouscircles。WhatwilltheSpidersdo，whenthusputtothetestoftheunknown？Onewouldthinkthat，whenoneofthemfoundmeshestoowideforherunderherfeet，theothermeshestoonarrow，theywouldbefrightenedbythissuddenchangeanddecampinterror。

Notatall。Withoutasignofperturbation，theyremain，plantthemselvesinthecentreandawaitthecomingofthegame，asthoughnothingextraordinaryhadhappened。Theydomorethanthis。

Dayspassand，aslongastheunfamiliarwebisnotwreckedtotheextentofbeingunserviceable，theymakenoattempttoweaveanotherintheirownstyle。TheSpider，therefore，isincapableofrecognizingherweb。Shetakesanother’sworkforhers，evenwhenitisproducedbyastrangertoherrace。

Wenowcometothetragicsideofthisconfusion。Wishingtohavesubjectsforstudywithinmydailyreachandtosavemyselfthetroubleofcasualexcursions，IcollectdifferentEpeiraewhomI

findinthecourseofmywalksandestablishthemontheshrubsinmyenclosure。Inthisway，arosemary-hedge，shelteredfromthewindandfacingthesun，isturnedintoawell-stockedmenagerie。

ItaketheSpidersfromthepaperbagswhereinIhadputthemseparately，tocarrythem，andplacethemontheleaves，withnofurtherprecaution。Itisforthemtomakethemselvesathome。Asarule，theydonotbudgealldayfromtheplacewhereIputthem:

theywaitfornightfallbeforeseekingasuitablesitewhereontoweaveanet。

Someamongthemshowlesspatience。Alittlewhileago，theypossessedaweb，betweenthereedsofabrookorintheholm-oakcopses；andnowtheyhavenone。Theygooffinsearch，torecovertheirpropertyorseizeonsomeoneelse’s:itisallthesametothem。IcomeuponaBandedEpeira，newlyimported，makingforthewebofaSilkyEpeirawhohasbeenmyguestforsomedaysnow。Theownerisatherpost，inthecentreofthenet。Sheawaitsthestrangerwithseemingimpassiveness。Thensuddenlytheygripeachother；andadesperatefightbegins。TheSilkyEpeiraisworsted。

Theotherswathesherinbonds，dragshertothenon-limycentralfloorand，inthecalmestfashion，eatsher。ThedeadSpiderismunchedfortwenty-fourhoursanddrainedtothelastdrop，whenthecorpse，awretched，crumpledball，isatlastflungaside。Thewebsofoullyconqueredbecomesthepropertyofthestranger，whousesit，ifithavenotsufferedtoomuchinthecontest。

Thereishereashadowofanexcuse。ThetwoSpiderswereofdifferentspecies；andthestruggleforlifeoftenleadstotheseexterminationsamongsuchasarenotakin。Whatwouldhappenifthetwobelongedtothesamespecies？Itiseasilyseen。Icannotrelyuponspontaneousinvasions，whichmayberareundernormalconditions，andImyselfplaceaBandedEpeiraonherkinswoman’sweb。Afuriousattackismadeforthwith。Victory，afterhangingforamomentinthebalance，isonceagaindecidedinthestranger’sfavour。Thevanquishedparty，thistimeasister，iseatenwithouttheslightestscruple。Herwebbecomesthepropertyofthevictor。

Thereitis，inallitshorror，therightofmight:toeatone’slikeandtakeawaytheirgoods。Mandidthesameindaysofold:

hestrippedandatehisfellows。Wecontinuetoroboneanother，bothasnationsandasindividuals；butwenolongereatoneanother:thecustomhasgrownobsoletesincewediscoveredanacceptablesubstituteinthemutton-chop。

Letusnot，however，blackentheSpiderbeyondherdeserts。Shedoesnotlivebywarringonherkithandkin；shedoesnotofherownaccordattempttheconquestofanother’sproperty。Itneedsextraordinarycircumstancestorousehertothesevillainies。I

takeherfromherwebandplaceheronanother’s。Fromthatmoment，sheknowsnodistinctionbetweenmeumandtuum:thethingwhichthelegtouchesatoncebecomesrealestate。Andtheintruder，ifshebethestronger，endsbyeatingtheoccupier，aradicalmeansofcuttingshortdisputes。

Apartfromdisturbancessimilartothoseprovokedbymyself，disturbancesthatarepossibleintheeverlastingconflictofevents，theSpider，jealousofherownweb，seemstorespectthewebsofothers。Sheneverindulgesinbrigandageagainstherfellowsexceptwhendispossessedofhernet，especiallyinthedaytime，forweavingisneverdonebyday:thisworkisreservedforthenight。When，however，sheisdeprivedofherlivelihoodandfeelsherselfthestronger，thensheattacksherneighbour，ripsheropen，feedsonherandtakespossessionofhergoods。Letusmakeallowancesandproceed。

WewillnowexamineSpidersofmorealienhabits。TheBandedandtheSilkyEpeiradiffergreatlyinformandcolouring。Thefirsthasaplump，olive-shapedbelly，richlybeltedwithwhite，bright-

yellowandblack；thesecond’sabdomenisflat，ofasilkywhiteandpinkedintofestoons。Judgingonlybydressandfigure，weshouldnotthinkofcloselyconnectingthetwoSpiders。

Buthighaboveshapestowertendencies，thosemaincharacteristicswhichourmethodsofclassification，soparticularaboutminutedetailsofform，oughttoconsultmorewidelythantheydo。ThetwodissimilarSpidershaveexactlysimilarwaysofliving。Bothofthemprefertohuntbydayandneverleavetheirwebs；bothsigntheirworkwithazigzagflourish。Theirnetsarealmostidentical，somuchsothattheBandedEpeirausestheSilkyEpeira’swebaftereatingitsowner。TheSilkyEpeira，onherside，whensheisthestronger，dispossessesherbeltedcousinanddevoursher。Eachisathomeontheother’sweb，whentheargumentofmighttriumphanthasendedthediscussion。

LetusnexttakethecaseoftheCrossSpider，ahairybeastofvaryingshadesofreddish-brown。Shehasthreelargewhitespotsuponherback，formingatriple-barredcross。Shehuntsmostlyatnight，shunsthesunandlivesbydayontheadjacentshrubs，inashadyretreatwhichcommunicateswiththelime-snarebymeansofatelegraph-wire。Herwebisverysimilarinstructureandappearancetothoseofthetwoothers。WhatwillhappenifI

procureherthevisitofaBandedEpeira？

Theladyofthetriplecrossisinvadedbyday，inthefulllightofthesun，thankstomymischievousintermediary。Thewebisdeserted；theproprietressisinherleafyhut。Thetelegraph-wireperformsitsoffice；theCrossSpiderhastensdown，stridesallroundherproperty，beholdsthedangerandhurriedlyreturnstoherhiding-place，withouttakinganymeasuresagainsttheintruder。

Thelatter，onherside，doesnotseemtobeenjoyingherself。

Weresheplacedonthewebofoneofhersisters，orevenonthatoftheSilkyEpeira，shewouldhavepostedherselfinthecentre，assoonasthestrugglehadendedintheother’sdeath。Thistimethereisnostruggle，forthewebisdeserted；nothingpreventsherfromtakingherpositioninthecentre，thechiefstrategicpoint；

andyetshedoesnotmovefromtheplacewhereIputher。

Iticklehergentlywiththetipofalongstraw。Whenathome，ifteasedinthisway，theBandedEpeira——liketheothers，forthatmatter——violentlyshakesthewebtointimidatetheaggressor。Thistime，nothinghappens:despitemyrepeatedenticements，theSpiderdoesnotstiralimb。Itisasthoughshewerenumbedwithterror。

Andshehasreasontobe:theotheriswatchingherfromherloftyloop-hole。

Thisisprobablynottheonlycauseofherfright。Whenmystrawdoesinducehertotakeafewsteps，Iseeherliftherlegswithsomedifficulty。Shetugsabit，dragshertarsitillshealmostbreaksthesupportingthreads。Itisnottheprogressofanagilerope-walker；itisthehesitatinggaitofentangledfeet。Perhapsthelime-threadsarestickierthaninherownweb。Theglueisofadifferentquality；andhersandalsarenotgreasedtotheextentwhichthenewdegreeofadhesivenesswoulddemand。

Anyhow，thingsremainastheyareforlonghoursonend:theBandedEpeiramotionlessontheedgeoftheweb；theotherlurkinginherhut；bothapparentlymostuneasy。Atsunset，theloverofdarknessplucksupcourage。Shedescendsfromhergreententand，withouttroublingaboutthestranger，goesstraighttothecentreoftheweb，wherethetelegraph-wirebringsher。Panic-strickenatthisapparition，theBandedEpeirareleasesherselfwithajerkanddisappearsintherosemary-thicket。

Theexperiment，thoughrepeatedlyrenewedwithdifferentsubjects，gavemenootherresults。Distrustfulofawebdissimilartoherown，ifnotinstructure，atleastinstickiness，theboldBandedEpeirashowsthewhitefeatherandrefusestoattacktheCrossSpider。Thelatter，onherside，eitherdoesnotbudgefromherdayshelterinthefoliage，orelserushesbacktoit，aftertakingahurriedglanceatthestranger。Shehereawaitsthecomingofthenight。Underfavourofthedarkness，whichgivesherfreshcourageandactivity，shere-appearsuponthesceneandputstheintrudertoflightbyhermerepresence，aided，ifneedbe，byacuffortwo。Injuredrightisthevictor。

Moralityissatisfied；butletusnotcongratulatetheSpidertherefore。Iftheinvaderrespectstheinvaded，itisbecauseveryseriousreasonsimpelher。First，shewouldhavetocontendwithanadversaryensconcedinastrongholdwhoseambushesareunknowntotheassailant。Secondly，theweb，ifconquered，wouldbeinconvenienttouse，becauseofthelime-threads，possessingadifferentdegreeofstickinessfromthosewhichsheknowssowell。

Toriskone’sskinforathingofdoubtfulvalueweretwicefoolish。TheSpiderknowsthisandforbears。

ButlettheBandedEpeira，deprivedofherweb，comeuponthatofoneofherkindoroftheSilkyEpeira，whoworkshergummytwineinthesamemanner:thendiscretionisthrowntothewinds；theownerisfiercelyrippedopenandpossessiontakenoftheproperty。

Mightisright，saysthebeast；or，rather，itknowsnoright。Theanimalworldisaroutofappetites，acknowledgingnootherreinthanimpotence。Mankind，alonecapableofemergingfromthesloughoftheinstincts，isbringingequityintobeing，iscreatingitslowlyasitsconceptiongrowsclearer。Outofthesacredrushlight，soflickeringasyet，butgainingstrengthfromagetoage，manwillmakeaflamingtorchthatwillputanend，amongus，totheprinciplesofthebrutesand，oneday，utterlychangethefaceofsociety。

CHAPTERXV:THELABYRINTHSPIDER

WhiletheEpeirae，withtheirgorgeousnet-tapestries，areincomparableweavers，manyotherSpidersexceliningeniousdevicesforfillingtheirstomachsandleavingalineagebehindthem:thetwoprimarylawsoflivingthings。Someofthemarecelebritiesoflong-standingrenown，whoarementionedinallthebooks。

CertainMygales{36}inhabitaburrow，liketheNarbonneLycosa，butofaperfectionunknowntothebrutalSpiderofthewaste-

lands。TheLycosasurroundsthemouthofhershaftwithasimpleparapet，amerecollectionoftinypebbles，sticksandsilk；theothersfixamovabledoortotheirs，aroundshutterwithahinge，agrooveandasetofbolts。WhentheMygalecomeshome，theliddropsintothegrooveandfitssoexactlythatthereisnopossibilityofdistinguishingthejoin。Iftheaggressorpersistandseektoraisethetrap-door，thereclusepushesthebolt，thatistosay，plantsherclawsintocertainholesontheoppositesidetothehinge，propsherselfagainstthewallandholdsthedoorfirmly。

Another，theArgyroneta，orWaterSpider，buildsherselfanelegantsilkendiving-bell，inwhichshestoresair。Thussuppliedwiththewherewithaltobreathe，sheawaitsthecomingofthegameandkeepsherselfcoolmeanwhile。Attimesofscorchingheat，hersmustbearegularsybariticabode，suchaseccentricmanhassometimesventuredtobuildunderwater，withmightyblocksofstoneandmarble。ThesubmarinepalacesofTiberiusarenomorethananodiousmemory；theWaterSpider’sdaintycupolastillflourishes。

IfIpossesseddocumentsderivedfrompersonalobservation，I

shouldliketospeakoftheseingeniousworkers；Iwouldgladlyaddafewunpublishedfactstotheirlife-history。ButImustabandontheidea。TheWaterSpiderisnotfoundinmydistrict。TheMygale，theexpertinhingeddoors，isfoundthere，butveryseldom。Isawoneonce，ontheedgeofapathskirtingacopse。

Opportunity，asweknow，isfleeting。Theobserver，morethananyother，isobligedtotakeitbytheforelock。PreoccupiedasIwaswithotherresearches，Ibutgaveaglanceatthemagnificentsubjectwhichgoodfortuneoffered。Theopportunityfledandhasneverreturned。

Letusmakeupforitwithtrivialthingsoffrequentencounter，aconditionfavourabletoconsecutivestudy。Whatiscommonisnotnecessarilyunimportant。Giveitoursustainedattentionandweshalldiscoverinitmeritswhichourformerignorancepreventedusfromseeing。Whenpatientlyentreated，theleastofcreaturesaddsitsnotetotheharmoniesoflife。

Inthefieldsaround，traversed，inthesedays，withatiredstep，butstillvigilantlyexplored，IfindnothingsooftenastheLabyrinthSpider(Agelenalabyrinthica，CLERCK。)。Notahedgebutsheltersafewatitsfoot，amidstgrass，inquiet，sunnynooks。

Intheopencountryandespeciallyinhillyplaceslaidbarebythewood-man’saxe，thefavouritesitesaretuftsofbracken，rock-

rose，lavender，everlastingandrosemarycroppedclosebytheteethoftheflocks。ThisiswhereIresort，astheisolationandkindlinessofthesupportslendthemselvestoproceedingswhichmightnotbetoleratedbytheunfriendlyhedge。

Severaltimesaweek，inJuly，IgotostudymySpidersonthespot，atanearlyhour，beforethesunbeatsfiercelyonone’sneck。Thechildrenaccompanyme，eachprovidedwithanorangewherewithtoslakethethirstthatwillnotbeslowincoming。

Theylendmetheirgoodeyesandsupplelimbs。Theexpeditionpromisestobefruitful。

Wesoondiscoverhighsilkbuildings，betrayedatadistancebytheglitteringthreadswhichthedawnhasconvertedintodewyrosaries。

Thechildrenarewonderstruckatthosegloriouschandeliers，somuchsothattheyforgettheirorangesforamoment。NoramI，onmypart，indifferent。AsplendidspectacleindeedisthatofourSpider’slabyrinth，heavywiththetearsofthenightandlitupbythefirstraysofthesun。AccompaniedasitisbytheThrushes’

symphony，thisaloneisworthgettingupfor。

Halfanhour’sheat；andthemagicjewelsdisappearwiththedew。

Nowisthemomenttoinspectthewebs。Hereisonespreadingitssheetoveralargeclusterofrock-roses；itisthesizeofahandkerchief。Aprofusionofguy-ropes，attachedtoanychanceprojection，moorittothebrushwood。Thereisnotatwigbutsuppliesacontact-point。Entwinedoneveryside，surroundedandsurmounted，thebushdisappearsfromview，veiledinwhitemuslin。

Thewebisflatattheedges，asfarastheunevennessofthesupportpermits，andgraduallyhollowsintoacrater，notunlikethebellofahunting-horn。Thecentralportionisacone-shapedgulf，afunnelwhoseneck，narrowingbydegrees，divesperpendicularlyintotheleafythickettoadepthofeightornineinches。

Attheentrancetothetube，inthegloomofthatmurderousalley，sitstheSpider，wholooksatusandbetraysnogreatexcitementatourpresence。Sheisgrey，modestlyadornedonthethoraxwithtwoblackribbonsandontheabdomenwithtwostripesinwhichwhitespecksalternatewithbrown。Atthetipofthebelly，twosmall，mobileappendagesformasortoftail，arathercuriousfeatureinaSpider。

Thecrater-shapedwebisnotofthesamestructurethroughout。Attheborders，itisagossamerweftofsparsethreads；nearerthecentre，thetexturebecomesfirstfinemuslinandthensatin；lowerstill，onthenarrowerpartoftheopening，itisanetworkofroughlylozengedmeshes。Lastly，theneckofthefunnel，theusualresting-place，isformedofsolidsilk。

TheSpiderneverceasesworkingathercarpet，whichrepresentsherinvestigation-platform。Everynightshegoestoit，walksoverit，inspectinghersnares，extendingherdomainandincreasingitwithnewthreads。Theworkisdonewiththesilkconstantlyhangingfromthespinneretsandconstantlyextractedastheanimalmovesabout。Theneckofthefunnel，beingmoreoftenwalkeduponthantherestofthedwelling，isthereforeprovidedwithathickerupholstery。Beyonditaretheslopesofthecrater，whicharealsomuch-frequentedregions。Spokesofsomeregularityfixthediameterofthemouth；aswayingwalkandtheguidingaidofthecaudalappendageshavelaidlozengymeshesacrossthesespokes。

Thisparthasbeenstrengthenedbythenightlyroundsofinspection。Lastlycometheless-visitedexpanses，whichconsequentlyhaveathinnercarpet。

Atthebottomofthepassagedippingintothebrushwood，wemightexpecttofindasecretcabin，awaddedcellwheretheSpiderwouldtakerefugeinherhoursofleisure。Therealityissomethingentirelydifferent。Thelongfunnel-neckgapesatitslowerend，whereaprivatedoorstandsalwaysajar，allowingtheanimal，whenhard-pushed，toescapethroughthegrassandgaintheopen。

Itiswelltoknowthisarrangementofthehome，ifyouwishtocapturetheSpiderwithouthurtingher。Whenattackedfromthefront，thefugitiverunsdownandslipsthroughthepostern-gateatthebottom。Tolookforherbyrummaginginthebrushwoodoftenleadstonothing，soswiftisherflight；besides，ablindsearchentailsagreatriskofmaimingher。Letuseschewviolence，whichisbutseldomsuccessful，andresorttocraft。

WecatchsightoftheSpiderattheentrancetohertube。Ifpracticable，squeezethebottomofthetuft，containingtheneckofthefunnel，withbothhands。Thatisenough；theanimaliscaught。

Feelingitsretreatcutoff，itreadilydartsintothepaperbagheldouttoit；ifnecessary，itcanbestimulatedwithabitofstraw。Inthisway，Ifillmycageswithsubjectsthathavenotbeendemoralizedbycontusions。

Thesurfaceofthecraterisnotexactlyasnare。Itisjustpossibleforthecasualpedestriantocatchhislegsinthesilkycarpets；butgiddy-pateswhocomehereforawalkmustbeveryrare。Whatiswantedisatrapcapableofsecuringthegamethathopsorflies。TheEpeirahashertreacherouslimednet；theSpiderofthebusheshashernolesstreacherouslabyrinth。

Lookabovetheweb。Whataforestofropes！Itmightbetheriggingofashipdisabledbyastorm。Theyrunfromeverytwigofthesupportingshrubs，theyarefastenedtothetipofeverybranch。Therearelongropesandshortropes，uprightandslanting，straightandbent，tautandslack，allcriss-crossanda-

tangle，totheheightofthreefeetorsoininextricabledisorder。

Thewholeformsachaosofnetting，alabyrinthwhichnonecanpassthrough，unlesshebeendowedwithwingsofexceptionalpower。

Wehaveherenothingsimilartothelime-threadsusedbytheGardenSpiders。Thethreadsarenotsticky；theyactonlybytheirconfusedmultitude。Wouldyoucaretoseethetrapatwork？ThrowasmallLocustintotherigging。Unabletoobtainasteadyfoot-

holdonthatshakysupport，hefloundersabout；andthemorehestrugglesthemoreheentangleshisshackles。TheSpider，spyingonthethresholdofherabyss，letshimhavehisway。Shedoesnotrunuptheshroudsofthemast-worktoseizethedesperateprisoner；shewaitsuntilhisbondsofthreads，twistedbackwardsandforwards，makehimfallontheweb。

Hefalls；theothercomesandflingsherselfuponherprostrateprey。Theattackisnotwithoutdanger。TheLocustisdemoralizedratherthantiedup；itismerelybitsofbrokenthreadthatheistrailingfromhislegs。Theboldassailantdoesnotmind。Withouttroubling，liketheEpeirae，toburyhercaptureunderaparalysingwinding-sheet，shefeelsit，tomakesureofitsquality，andthen，regardlessofkicks，insertsherfangs。

Thebiteisusuallygivenatthelowerendofahaunch:notthatthisplaceismorevulnerablethananyotherthin-skinnedpart，butprobablybecauseithasabetterflavour。ThedifferentwebswhichIinspecttostudythefoodinthelardershowme，amongotherjoints，variousFliesandsmallButterfliesandcarcassesofalmost-untouchedLocusts，alldeprivedoftheirhind-legs，oratleastofone。Locusts’legsoftendangle，emptiedoftheirsucculentcontents，ontheedgesoftheweb，fromthemeat-hooksofthebutcher’sshop。Inmyurchin-days，daysfreefromprejudicesinregardtowhatoneate，I，likemanyothers，wasabletoappreciatethatdainty。Itistheequivalent，onaverysmallscale，ofthelargerlegsoftheCrayfish。

Therigging-builder，therefore，towhomwehavejustthrownaLocustattacksthepreyatthelowerendofathigh。Thebiteisalingeringone:oncetheSpiderhasplantedherfangs，shedoesnotletgo。Shedrinks，shesips，shesucks。Whenthisfirstpointisdrained，shepassesontoothers，tothesecondhaunchinparticular，untilthepreybecomesanemptyhulkwithoutlosingitsoutline。

WehaveseenthatGardenSpidersfeedinasimilarway，bleedingtheirvenisonanddrinkingitinsteadofeatingit。Atlast，however，inthecomfortablepost-prandialhours，theytakeupthedrainedmorsel，chewit，rechewitandreduceittoashapelessball。Itisadessertfortheteethtotoywith。TheLabyrinthSpiderknowsnothingofthediversionsofthetable；sheflingsthedrainedremnantsoutofherweb，withoutchewingthem。Althoughitlastslong，themealiseateninperfectsafety。Fromthefirstbite，theLocustbecomesalifelessthing；theSpider’spoisonhassettledhim。

Thelabyrinthisgreatlyinferior，asaworkofart，tothatadvancedgeometricalcontrivance，theGardenSpider’snet；and，inspiteofitsingenuity，itdoesnotgiveafavourablenotionofitsconstructor。Itishardlymorethanashapelessscaffolding，runupanyhow。Andyet，liketheothers，thebuilderofthisslovenlyedificemusthaveherownprinciplesofbeautyandaccuracy。Asitis，theprettily-latticedmouthofthecratermakesussuspectthis；thenest，themother’susualmasterpiece，willproveittothefull。

Whenlaying-timeisathand，theSpiderchangesherresidence；sheabandonsherwebinexcellentcondition；shedoesnotreturntoit。

Whosowillcantakepossessionofthehouse。Thehourhascometofoundthefamily-establishment。Butwhere？TheSpiderknowsrightwell；Iaminthedark。Morningsarespentinfruitlesssearches。

InvainIransackthebushesthatcarrythewebs:Ineverfindaughtthatrealizesmyhopes。

Ilearnthesecretatlast。Ichanceuponawebwhich，thoughdeserted，isnotyetdilapidated，provingthatithasbeenbutlatelyquitted。Insteadofhuntinginthebrushwoodwhereonitrests，letusinspecttheneighbourhood，toadistanceofafewpaces。Ifthesecontainalow，thickcluster，thenestisthere，hiddenfromtheeye。Itcarriesanauthenticcertificateofitsorigin，forthemotherinvariablyoccupiesit。

Bythismethodofinvestigation，farfromthelabyrinth-trap，I

becometheownerofasmanynestsasareneededtosatisfymycuriosity。Theydonotbyalongwaycomeuptomyideaofthematernaltalent。Theyareclumsybundlesofdeadleaves，roughlydrawntogetherwithsilkthreads。Underthisrudecoveringisapouchoffinetexturecontainingtheegg-casket，allinverybadcondition，becauseoftheinevitabletearsincurredinitsextricationfromthebrushwood。No，Ishallnotbeabletojudgeoftheartist’scapacitybytheseragsandtatters。

Theinsect，initsbuildings，hasitsownarchitecturalrules，rulesasunchangeableasanatomicalpeculiarities。Eachgroupbuildsaccordingtothesamesetofprinciples，conformingtothelawsofaveryelementarysystemofaesthetics；butoftencircumstancesbeyondthearchitect’scontrol——thespaceatherdisposal，theunevennessofthesite，thenatureofthematerialandotheraccidentalcauses——interferewiththeworker’splansanddisturbthestructure。Thenvirtualregularityistranslatedintoactualchaos；orderdegeneratesintodisorder。

Wemightdiscoveraninterestingsubjectofresearchinthetypeadoptedbyeachspecieswhentheworkisaccomplishedwithouthindrances。TheBandedEpeiraweavesthewalletofhereggsintheopen，onaslimbranchthatdoesnotgetinherway；andherworkisasuperblyartisticjar。TheSilkyEpeiraalsohasalltheelbow-roomsheneeds；andherparaboloidisnotwithoutelegance。

CantheLabyrinthSpider，thatotherspinstressofaccomplishedmerit，beignorantofthepreceptsofbeautywhenthetimecomesforhertoweaveatentforheroffspring？Asyet，whatIhaveseenofherworkisbutanunsightlybundle。Isthatallshecando？

Ilookforbetterthingsifcircumstancesfavourher。Toilinginthemidstofadensethicket，amongatangleofdeadleavesandtwigs，shemaywellproduceaveryinaccuratepieceofwork；butcompelhertolabourwhenfreefromallimpediment:shewillthen——

Iamconvincedofitbeforehand——applyhertalentswithoutconstraintandshowherselfanadeptinthebuildingofgracefulnests。

Aslaying-timeapproaches，towardsthemiddleofAugust，Iinstalhalf-a-dozenLabyrinthSpidersinlargewire-gauzecages，eachstandinginanearthenpanfilledwithsand。Asprigofthyme，plantedinthecentre，willfurnishsupportsforthestructure，togetherwiththetrellis-workofthetopandsides。Thereisnootherfurniture，nodeadleaves，whichwouldspoiltheshapeofthenestifthemotherweremindedtoemploythemasacovering。Bywayofprovision，Locusts，everyday。Theyarereadilyaccepted，providedtheybetenderandnottoolarge。

Theexperimentworksperfectly。AugustishardlyoverbeforeIaminpossessionofsixnests，magnificentinshapeandofadazzlingwhiteness。Thelatitudeoftheworkshophasenabledthespinstresstofollowtheinspirationofherinstinctwithoutseriousobstacles；andtheresultisamasterpieceofsymmetryandelegance，ifweallowforafewangularitiesdemandedbythesuspension-points。

Itisanovalofexquisitewhitemuslin，adiaphanousabodewhereinthemothermustmakealongstaytowatchoverthebrood。ThesizeisnearlythatofaHen’segg。Thecabinisopenateitherend。

Thefront-entrancebroadensintoagallery；theback-entrancetapersintoafunnel-neck。Ifailtoseetheobjectofthisneck。

Asfortheopeninginfront，whichiswider，thisis，beyondadoubt，avictualling-door。IseetheSpider，atintervals，standinghereonthelook-outfortheLocust，whomsheconsumesoutside，takingcarenottosoilthespotlesssanctuarywithcorpses。

Thestructureofthenestisnotwithoutacertainsimilaritytothatofthehomeoccupiedduringthehunting-season。Thepassageatthebackrepresentsthefunnel-neck，thatranalmostdowntothegroundandaffordedanoutletforflightincaseofgravedanger。

Theoneinfront，expandingintoamouthkeptwideopenbycordsstretchedbackwardsandforwards，recallstheyawninggulfintowhichthevictimsusedtofall。Everypartoftheolddwellingisrepeated:eventhelabyrinth，thoughthis，itistrue，isonamuchsmallerscale。Infrontofthebell-shapedmouthisatangleofthreadswhereinthepassers-byarecaught。Eachspecies，inthisway，possessesaprimaryarchitecturalmodelwhichisfollowedasawhole，inspiteofalteredconditions。Theanimalknowsitstradethoroughly，butitdoesnotknowandwillneverknowaughtelse，beingincapableoforiginality。

Nowthispalaceofsilk，whenallissaid，isnothingmorethanaguard-house。Behindthesoft，milkyopalescenceofthewallglimmerstheegg-tabernacle，withitsformvaguelysuggestingthestarofsomeorderofknighthood。Itisalargepocket，ofasplendiddead-white，isolatedoneverysidebyradiatingpillarswhichkeepitmotionlessinthecentreofthetapestry。Thesepillarsareaboutteninnumberandareslenderinthemiddle，expandingatoneendintoaconicalcapitalandattheotherintoabaseofthesameshape。Theyfaceoneanotherandmarkthepositionofthevaultedcorridorswhichallowfreemovementineverydirectionaroundthecentralchamber。Themotherwalksgravelytoandfrounderthearchesofhercloisters，shestopsfirsthere，thenthere；shemakesalengthyauscultationoftheegg-wallet；shelistenstoallthathappensinsidethesatinwrapper。Todisturbherwouldbebarbarous。

Foracloserexamination，letususethedilapidatednestswhichwebroughtfromthefields。Apartfromitspillars，theegg-pocketisaninvertedconoid，remindingusoftheworkoftheSilkyEpeira。

Itsmaterialisratherstout；mypincers，pullingatit，donottearitwithoutdifficulty。Insidethebagthereisnothingbutanextremelyfine，whitewaddingand，lastly，theeggs，numberingaboutahundredandcomparativelylarge，fortheymeasureamillimetreandahalf。{37}Theyareverypaleamber-yellowbeads，whichdonotsticktogetherandwhichrollfreelyassoonasI

removetheswan’s-downshroud。Letusputeverythingintoaglass-

tubetostudythehatching。

Wewillnowretraceourstepsalittle。Whenlaying-timecomes，themotherforsakesherdwelling，hercraterintowhichherfallingvictimsdropped，herlabyrinthinwhichtheflightoftheMidgeswascutshort；sheleavesintacttheapparatusthatenabledhertoliveatherease。Thoughtfulofhernaturalduties，shegoestofoundanotherestablishmentatadistance。Whyatadistance？

Shehasstillafewlongmonthstoliveandsheneedsnourishment。

Wereitnotbetter，then，tolodgetheeggsintheimmediateneighbourhoodofthepresenthomeandtocontinueherhuntingwiththeexcellentsnareatherdisposal？Thewatchingofthenestandtheeasyacquisitionofprovenderwouldgohandinhand。TheSpiderisofanotheropinion；andIsuspectthereason。

Thesheet-netandthelabyrinththatsurmountsitareobjectsvisiblefromafar，owingtotheirwhitenessandtheheightwhereattheyareplaced。Theirscintillationinthesun，infrequentedpaths，attractsMosquitoesandButterflies，likethelampsinourroomsandthefowler’slooking-glass。Whosocomestolookatthebrightthingtoocloselydiesthevictimofhiscuriosity。Thereisnothingbetterforplayinguponthefollyofthepasser-by，butalsonothingmoredangeroustothesafetyofthefamily。

Harpieswillnotfailtocomerunningatthissignal，showingupagainstthegreen；guidedbythepositionoftheweb，theywillassuredlyfindthepreciouspurse；andastrangegrub，feastingonahundrednew-laideggs，willruintheestablishment。Idonotknowtheseenemies，nothavingsufficientmaterialsatmydisposalforaregisteroftheparasites；but，fromindicationsgatheredelsewhere，Isuspectthem。

TheBandedEpeira，trustingtothestrengthofherstuff，fixeshernestinthesightofall，hangsitonthebrushwood，takingnoprecautionswhatevertohideit。Andabadbusinessitprovesforher。HerjarprovidesmewithanIchneumon{38}possessedoftheinoculatinglarding-pin:aCryptuswho，asagrub，hadfedonSpiders’eggs。Nothingbutemptyshellswasleftinsidethecentralkeg；thegermswerecompletelyexterminated。ThereareotherIchneumon-flies，moreover，addictedtorobbingSpiders’

nests；abasketoffresheggsistheiroffspring’sregularfood。

Likeanyother，theLabyrinthSpiderdreadsthescoundrellyadventofthepickwallet；sheprovidesforitand，toshieldherselfagainstitasfaraspossible，choosesahiding-placeoutsideherdwelling，farremovedfromthetell-taleweb。Whenshefeelsherovariesripen，sheshiftsherquarters；shegoesoffatnighttoexploretheneighbourhoodandseekalessdangerousrefuge。Thepointsselectedare，bypreference，thelowbramblesdraggingalongtheground，keepingtheirdenseverdureduringthewinterandcrammedwithdeadleavesfromtheoakshardby。Rosemary-tufts，whichgaininthicknesswhattheyloseinheightontheunfosteringrock，suitherparticularly。ThisiswhereIusuallyfindhernest，notwithoutlongseeking，sowellisithidden。

Sofar，thereisnodeparturefromcurrentusage。Astheworldisfullofcreaturesontheprowlfortendermouthfuls，everymotherhasherapprehensions；shealsohashernaturalwisdom，whichadviseshertoestablishherfamilyinsecretplaces。Veryfewneglectthisprecaution；each，inherownmanner，concealstheeggsshelays。

InthecaseoftheLabyrinthSpider，theprotectionofthebroodiscomplicatedbyanothercondition。Inthevastmajorityofinstances，theeggs，oncelodgedinafavourablespot，areabandonedtothemselves，lefttothechancesofgoodorillfortune。TheSpiderofthebrush-wood，onthecontrary，endowedwithgreatermaternaldevotion，has，liketheCrabSpider，tomountguardoverhersuntiltheyhatch。